Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2005-06: Cody Eakin played for the Winnepeg Monarchs as a 14-year-old and was selected by the Swift Current Broncos in the first round (sixth overall) in the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft.

2006-07: Eakin played for the Winnepeg Wild in Manitoba Midget Hockey and made his WHL debut – appearing in three games with Swift Current. He was scoreless and -1 for the Broncos.

2007-08: Eakin scored 11 goals with 6 assists and was +5 with 52 PIM in 55 games as a rookie with Swift Current. Eakin missed some time due to a concussion but scored 3 goals with 4 assists and was +6 with 6 PIM in 12 playoff games as the Broncos defeated Regina before falling to Calgary in the WHL playoffs.

2008-09: Eakin was named one of Swift Current's assistant captains and improved his offensive numbers while playing a gritty two-way game. He scored 24 goals with 24 assists and was +18 with 42 PIM in 54 games. Eakin scored 3 goals and was -2 in Swift Current's seven-game, first-round playoff loss to Medicine Hat. Eakin starred in the 2009 CHL Top Prospects Game, scoring two goals and being named Player of the Game for Team Orr. Eakin won a gold medal while playing for Team Canada in the WJC U-18 tournament in Slovakia; scoring 2 goals with 2 PIM in six games.

2009-10: Eakin attended camp with the Capitals and signed a three-year, entry-level contract before being returned to Swift Current for his third season of juniors. Eakin made his pro hockey debut following the WHL playoffs with Washington's AHL affiliate Hershey. In the first period of his first game on March 31, Eakin scored a goal in a 5-2 win at Syracuse. He finished the regular season with 2 goals and was +1 with 2 PIM in four games with the Bears. In the AHL playoffs, he skated in five games for Hershey (four in the Calder Cup finals against Texas) and was scoreless with 2 PIM. Despite the disappointment of being cut from Canada's WJC U-20 team, Eakin was dominant in his last season of junior hockey for Swift Current. He scored 47 goals with 44 assists with 17 of his 47 goals coming on the power play. Playing on a Broncos' team that finished third in the East division, he was a disappointing -8 and had 71 PIM. Eakin was a threat short-handed, scoring four goals on the penalty kill. In four playoff games with Swift Current, he had 1 goal with 1 assist and was -6 with 2 PIM as the Broncos were swept by Brandon in the first round.

2010-11: Eakin was one of the leading scorers for WHL champion Kootenay after being acquired in a mid-season trade from Swift Current and skated for silver medal-winning Canada at the 2011 U20 World Junior Championship. Eakin scored 18 goals with 26 assists in 26 games with Kootenay following the trade. Between Swift Current and Kootenay he scored 36 goals with 47 assists and was +13 with 43 PMs in 56 WHL games. Eakin was one of four players with 27 points during the playoffs for the Ice; scoring 11 goals with 16 assists in 19 games. In five Memorial Cup games he scored 3 goals with 3 assists and was -3 with 4 PMs. Eakin skated in seven games for Team Canada and was +3 with 1 goal and 2 assists.

2011-12: Eakin played in 30 games for the Capitals as a 20-year old – splitting his first pro season between Washington and their AHL affiliate Hershey. He made his NHL debut in early November and played 19 games with the Capitals before returning to Hershey. He shuffled between the two teams until February, when he returned to the Bears for the bulk of the season – appearing in one more NHL game on March 29th. He scored 4 goals with 4 assists and was plus-two with 4 penalty minutes; averaging nine minutes ice time per game with the Capitals. He was with Washington during the playoffs but did not play in any games. Eakin scored 13 goals with 14 assists and was plus-four in 43 games for Hershey, which reached the playoffs after finishing third in the West Division. He had 1 assist and was minus-two in the five-game series with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Eakin was acquired by Dallas from the Capitals in a June, 2012 trade.

Talent Analysis

Eakin isn’t a big guy and relies on his terrific speed and agility as his two greatest assets for success. He’s a solid two-way player that is very useful as a penalty killer, but is sometimes inconsistent in his defensive play. He’s an aggressive forechecker and will play the body although he’s not known as a punishing hitter. He’s creative and will attack defenders one-on-one but can also distribute the puck and uses his teammates well. Eakin doesn’t panic with the puck and rarely forces passes when under pressure. He is an above shooter and passer and is thus a constant offensive threat. Eakin is a natural centerman but is able to play winger, too. His competitiveness makes him popular with coaches, fans and teammates.

Photo: Goaltender Jack Campbell (left) and defenseman Jamie Oleksiak remain the top two prospects in the Stars' pipeline. Oleksiak is one of several young guns who have seen time in the Dallas lineup this season (courtesy of Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Despite a bit of flux in recent years from ownership on down, the Dallas Stars have made it a point to restock their organizational depth with quality prospects. They continually bolster one of the better prospect stables in the league and have a great mix of talent and player types that can fill virtually any role that opens up in the organization in the near future.

Photo: After notching 37 tallies a season ago, Matt Fraser is again leading the Texas Stars in the goal-scoring department in 2012-13. (courtesy of John Rivera/Icon SMI)

Another season, another bench boss in Cedar Park, Texas, where the Dallas Stars top minor league affiliate hones its skills and patiently waits. On their third coach in as many seasons, some of the more seasoned Stars have seen a number of different looks, schemes, and systems while a talented group of rookies is learning the professional game for the first time. Past the quarter pole, the Stars seem more than competent. They stand second in the division and fifth in the tight Western Conference.

Photo: After playing the past three seasons in Finland, defenseman Sami Vatanen made his way to North America and currently plays for the AHL affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks. (Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Below is the middle section Hockey’s Future’s NHL Team Rankings. The teams are ranked in terms of the quality of their overall prospect pool as voted on by the staff of Hockey's Future. For reference, just the top five prospects are listed. To be eligible, a prospect must meet HF's prospect criteria. The rankings are done twice a year, with the second scheduled to be published in the Spring.

Photo: The off-season acquisition of center prospect Cody Eakin, pictured here with the Washington Capitals, strengthened the the Dallas Stars' organizational depth down the middle. (courtesy of Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon SMI)

After a series of very promising drafts, the Dallas Stars prospect pipeline is glowing radiantly as hockey seasons across the Northern Hemisphere begin to get their respective sea legs before the ponds freeze over this winter. Still lacking a stable full of blue-chip stallions, the club from Dallas can trot out an impressive lineup of high quality players at any position.